Multimedia kiosk: types, features and how to choose the right one

What a multimedia kiosk is

A multimedia kiosk is a vertical interactive device, usually fitted with a touchscreen, designed to inform, guide and engage visitors on its own. Unlike a simple monitor on a stand, a multimedia kiosk combines content management software, interaction sensors and, in more advanced versions, cloud connectivity for remote updates.

Kiosks are used wherever information needs to be communicated effectively without staff being permanently on hand: museums, trade shows, shopping centres, hospitals, public offices, corporate lobbies and hotels.

Types of multimedia kiosk

Indoor touchscreen kiosk

The most common version: a capacitive display from 22 to 65 inches, a metal or wood structure and a fully customisable design. Ideal for reception areas, showrooms and museums. It supports multimedia content, interactive maps, registration forms and digital wayfinding.

Touchless kiosk

Interaction without physical contact, through proximity sensors, gestures or voice commands. A solution that gained real momentum after the pandemic, it is now standard in healthcare settings, airports and high-traffic spaces. Vimage's IMUV technology delivers precise, natural touchless interaction.

Outdoor kiosk

A weatherproof version with a high-brightness display (up to 2,500 nits), anti-glare glass and IP65 protection. Used in squares, parks, open-air museum trails and outdoor exhibition areas.

AR (augmented reality) kiosk

It pairs the display with a camera and AR software to overlay digital content onto the real environment. The visitor points the kiosk at an artwork, a building or a product and receives enriched information, 3D reconstructions and contextual animations.

Key features

• Wayfinding and orientation: navigable maps with tailored routes. The visitor searches for a destination and the kiosk works out the best path.
• Multilingual information: content in several languages, with automatic switching based on the browser language or manual selection.
• Registration and lead generation: interactive forms for data capture, event registration and newsletter sign-ups.
• Dynamic content: videos, animations and slideshows updated remotely through a cloud CMS.
• Analytics: interaction tracking, heatmaps of the most-viewed content and visitor flow data.
• IoT integration: connection with other devices (environmental sensors, beacons, ticketing systems) for contextual experiences.

Where multimedia kiosks are used

Museums and cultural spaces

Information kiosks placed along the exhibition route, with artwork details, audio guides and interactive quizzes for children. The museum sector is one of the biggest users of kiosks, often integrated with projection systems and interactive surfaces.

Trade shows and events

Kiosks on stands to present the product catalogue, capture contacts and provide exhibition wayfinding. Portable versions allow fast setup and breakdown.

Public administration and healthcare

Queue-busting kiosks, patient orientation and information on services and opening hours. They reduce perceived waiting times and the load on front-office staff.

Retail and shopping centres

Interactive directories, contextual promotions and integrated virtual try-on. The kiosk becomes a touchpoint between the physical and digital experience.

Companies and corporate

Automated reception, company presentations for visitors and internal wayfinding for campuses and multi-floor sites.

How to choose the right kiosk

The choice comes down to four factors:

1. Setting: indoor or outdoor? High or low footfall? Is support staff present?
2. Objective: to inform, guide, entertain or capture data?
3. Content: static or dynamic? Multilingual? Video?
4. Integration: standalone or connected to a CMS, CRM or ticketing system?

At Vimage we design and build the system before choosing the device. The first question is not "which kiosk should I buy", but "what do you want to achieve". Then we choose the right device, software and integration.